Protecting Our Profession: A Letter Template for Revising Oregon's Parity Laws
Acupuncturists across Oregon are facing significant challenges due to reductions in insurance reimbursement rates. To ensure that we can continue providing high-quality care, it's critical that we make our voices heard. Below, I’ve provided a template letter you can use to contact your state and federal representatives, urging them to take action to revise and strengthen Federal and state parity laws. By advocating for legislative changes we individually care about, we can push for fair reimbursement practices that allow healthcare professionals to continue providing essential care while sustaining their small Oregon businesses.
Below, I’ve provided a template letter that you can individually use to contact your state and federal representatives.
Federal Legislators:
Senator Jeff Merkley
Email: Contact Form
Phone: (202) 224-3753
Senator Ron Wyden
Email: Contact Form
Phone: (202) 224-5244
For your U.S. House Representative and your State legislators, you can find them on the map here.
The Draft Letter:
Dear [Legislator’s Name],
I am writing to you as a licensed acupuncturist and small business owner in [Your City/State], who is deeply concerned about the continued changes in insurance reimbursement rates. I urge you to support the revision and strengthening of Federal and state parity laws to ensure that acupuncturists like me are reimbursed fairly and equitably for the services we provide.
Acupuncture is not just a complementary therapy; it is an essential health benefit in Oregon, recognized for its cost-effective, safe, and evidence-based solutions for a wide range of health issues, including pain management, nausea during pregnancy, smoking cessation, and drug withdrawal. Acupuncture is covered by Medicaid in Oregon, underscoring its importance to public health.
Despite this recognition, recent changes by insurance companies, including Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, have drastically reduced reimbursement rates for me as an acupuncturist. I am now being reimbursed as little as 58% of what other healthcare providers, such as registered dieticians and nurse practitioners, receive for performing the same evaluation and management (E&M) services. This inequity not only undervalues my services but also threatens the sustainability of my practice.
Like many healthcare providers, as an acupuncturist, I face significant financial burdens. My training was rigorous and costly. The average acupuncturist graduates with $100,000 to $150,000 in student loan debt, and the repayment of these loans is made nearly impossible by low reimbursement rates. Coupled with the rising costs of living and the high small business taxes in Oregon, many acupuncturists are struggling to stay afloat. Some acupuncture schools are even closing their doors, threatening the future of our profession.
If acupuncturists are forced out of business due to inadequate reimbursement, patients will lose access to this valuable and cost-effective care. This is particularly concerning given the ongoing opioid crisis and the need for non-pharmacological pain management options. Furthermore, as small business owners, acupuncturists contribute to the local economy, and our closures would be a loss for our communities.
To address these challenges, I urge you to take the following actions:
Revise and Strengthen Parity Laws: Ensure that acupuncturists receive reimbursement rates comparable to other healthcare providers for the same services. This will help us sustain our practices and continue providing essential care.
Support Small Business Relief: Advocate for tax relief and financial support for small healthcare businesses, including acupuncturists, to help offset the rising costs of operation and student loan debt.
Protect Access to Acupuncture: Maintain and expand coverage for acupuncture services, particularly for conditions where it has proven to be an effective alternative to more costly or risky interventions.
Acupuncture is a vital component of Oregon’s healthcare system, providing safe, effective, and affordable care for a wide range of conditions. Strengthening parity laws and ensuring fair reimbursement rates are crucial to preserving this essential service. I appreciate your attention to this important issue and look forward to your support in safeguarding the future of acupuncture in Oregon.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,